Cullowhee, N.C. -
As the end of the fiscal year 2013 rapidly approaches on June 30, Western Carolina and its fundraising arm, the Catamount Club, continue to strive to reach its annual goals. The Catamount Club is reaching out to its membership to renew for the 2013-14 year by June 30, while also encouraging new members to join WCU Athletics by investing in student-athlete excellence. All contributions made to the Catamount Club directly impact scholarships that support each of WCU's 16 intercollegiate athletic teams.

The closing days before the end of the financial calendar are critical as the Catamount Club looks to reach its lofty goals of 1,400 active members and $650,000 raised. The organization enters its final month with $486,000 raised towards its goal, coming off the strength of surpassing its benchmark set a year ago at $545,927 - the most-ever by the Catamount Club.

"The excitement throughout the Catamount Nation has continued to build over the past year and we are extremely grateful for the tremendous support being provided to WCU Athletics by our alumni and fans. Through your help, a foundation is being laid enabling our student-athletes to make all of us as Catamounts proud as they succeed in the classroom and on their fields of competition", said Associate Athletic Director and Catamount Club Director, Gorham Bradley. "As we work to fulfill our primary mission of increasing scholarship opportunities for each of our student-athletes, our goal of $650,000 is within reach as we enter the last month of our spring campaign."

Catamount Club members are asked to renew memberships in June to ensure that they receive membership benefits including football parking and priority seating for the 2013-14 seasons.

"This is an exciting yet challenging time for Catamount athletics in the scope of intercollegiate sports and within the Southern Conference. In my time here at Western Carolina, I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from alumni, fans and the community around WCU," said WCU Director of Athletics, Randy Eaton. "We are at the dawn of a new era in the Southern Conference, one that presents WCU with immediate opportunities to fill the void left by departing members. The time is now for everyone to get involved, to join the Catamount Club and to help us secure the goal of providing our student-athletes the opportunities to achieve both academically and athletically within the new Southern Conference."

For any questions about joining the Catamount Club, renewing or upgrading current memberships, please contact Gorham Bradley at (828) 227-3794 or by e-mail at bradley@email.wcu.edu. Members wishing to contribute by credit card are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to allow for crediting by the June 30 deadline.